The certification of the mass concentration of zearalenone in acetonitrile BCR-699 and mass fraction of zearalenone in maize - very low level BCR-716 zearalenone in maize - low level BCR-717

The contamination of maize by fungi, especially by Fusarium species is a world-wide problem. One of the most prevalent Fusarium mycotoxins frequently found on European maize is zearalenone (ZON, ZEA) which has been implicated in a range of human and animal diseases. It shows remarkable estrogenic properties and can cause severe infertility problems in farm animals. Currently, there are nine countries, which have set maximum tolerable levels for ZON in food ranging from 0 to 1000 ug/kg. The report describes the preparation of a ZON calibrant (BCR-699 "ZON in acetonitrile") and two maize reference materials (BCR-716 "very low level ZON" and BCR-717 "low level ZON") and the certification of their individual zearaleone contents (mass concentration and mass fraction). The preparation of the materials, the homogeneity and stability studies and the characterisation with a discussion of the results is described hereafter. Uncertainties were calcultated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties due to possible inhomogeneity and instability.